The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions are 1st and 2nd, respectively, atop the NFC North and both are looking for a good start to a season that can eventually lead to a playoff spot. With the Bears at 3-0 they are looking to start 4-0 and maintain their division domination into the next four games of the season. The Lions are at 2-1 and though they have had some close games, unlike last year, they have been able to hold on to start off 2-1, their 1 loss coming from the Arizona Cardinals by 4 points. So the Bears are not going to go against a lightweight this week and definitely will not get cheers from the fans at Ford Field.

1st Quarter Rankings

The Bears are 3rd in points per game at 31.7 and have a turnover differential of +6 which comes in at 2nd in the league. In comparison the Lions 6th in ppg with 27.3 and have a +3 turnover differential. Not a bad offense, especially with the addition of Reggie Bush in the offseason to go along with a Megatron and other targets that aren’t Megatron. The leader in receptions, Nate Burleson is sidelined with a broken arm so this gives Matthew Stafford reason to test out other targets. With the Bears Charles Tillman also nursing an injury and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, Detroit offensive coordinator Scott Linehan might devise a game-plan to test Chicago’s back seven. With that in mind look for Major Wright and Chris Conte to be quite busy this game.

How To Win

For the Bears to win defensively they have to make Matthew Stafford uncomfortable and make errant throws. This can be achieved by getting pressure from our defensive line that has not generated enough pressure in these first couple of games. Also, with Henry Melton out for the year there has to be an extra effort to cause disruption from anyone else on the line. Under pressure Matthew Stafford, like most quarterbacks, is liable to make questionable decisions. Offensively, the Bears can not underestimate the secondary of the Detroit Lions nor the impact the defensive line can make. Ndamukong Suh, rookie Ziggy Ansah, and Nick Fairley will pose another test for a new group of offensive linemen. We might even see Marc Trestman open up the playbook a little more like he has in moderation of the course of the first 3 games. Big plays are coming soon its just about timing and execution.

The Lions can turn all of this around and steal a win away from the Bears and they know it. The only thing holding them back is the execution. If the Lions defensive line can get some sort of pressure and get to 3rd downs they have a better chance, and the Lions offense is in no way scared to go down the field and score.

Chicago Bears: 28

Detroit Lions: 24

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Written by Smiley
Raised a Chicago Bears fan. I watch all sports and have figured out a way to watch 12 hours of NFL every Sunday, sometimes watching multiple games at times. I like long walks on the beach with the actress of my dreams with a cup of ginger ale. I am a young person so I have opinions but I am agreeable.